Posted:
(2:25 p.m.)
The HRM Public Safety Office, in conjunction with Capital Health and the Nova Scotia Chiefs of Police Association, is hosting a free prescription drug drop-off day on May 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mic Mac Mall.
The drop-off day provides a quick and convenient opportunity for people to dispose of expired and unused medication in a safe and environmentally friendly way. Bring any unwanted prescription drugs to the drop-off booth located on the second level of the mall near the Bay court entrance. Police officers will be on hand to receive prescriptions drugs and answer questions or you can simply drop your medications in one of the secured bins. At the end of the day, officers will hand over the drugs to Capital Health for proper disposal.
This service is completely anonymous; to protect your privacy, we ask that you cover your name with a black marker or remove any labels containing personal information from packaging.
National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day is sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, and is being held in partnership with the Canadian Center on Substance Abuse and Public Safety Canada. The abuse and misuse of prescription drugs is a significant public safety issue. Canada is the second largest consumer of prescription opioids, according to the International Narcotics Control Board (2010). Globally, North America consumes approximately 80% of the world’s opioids. Approximately 19% of Canadians aged 15 years and older used prescribed pain relievers in the 12 months preceding the 2009 Canadian Alcohol and Drug Use Monitoring Survey (CADUMS). According to the 2008–2009 Youth Smoking Survey, 6.7% of Canadian youth in Grades 7–12 reported using prescription drugs in the past year to get high. The proper disposal of prescription drugs reduces the availability of these drugs for abuse, lessens the chances of misuse and prevents unwanted chemicals from entering our water system and waste stream.
Visit halifax.ca/Police/PublicSafety/NationalPrescriptionDrugDrop-OffDay.html for more information.
What: National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day
When: Saturday, May 11, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: MicMac Mall, 2nd level near the Bay court entrance